Artificial limb



May 12;11931. J. A. COLLINS 1,804,915

ARTIFICIAL LIMB Filed Jan. 7. 1929 *mg-Tiwy /Q f77 Ne: y

'/l l M i i v33. l E 57 32 l l', v

QW @gw ATTORNEY Patented May 12, 1931 Uli? o STATES:

'ice

ARTIFICIAL y 21MB Application med klamm-y' 7, 192e. serial No.- 33o,79s.

rl`he invention forming the subject matter of this application relates to 'artificial limbs, and particularly to artificial feet' which are inflated so as to offer resiliency and silent operation..

rihe primary object of the invention is the provision of an inflated, artificial foot, which is so secured to thelower extremity of an are tii'icial leg or stump as to pivot thereon,simu

'i lating the natural up and downward-turning of the natural ankle.

Another object ofthe invention is the provision of an infiated, artificial footV which is readily attachable to an artificial calf or stump, and in which the means' securing the saine to the stump Vareadapted to connect the interior of the foot to an inner valve for in- Hating and deflating. thefoot Lat will.

@ther objects of the invention are to pro-v vide an artificial foot of the character described that will be superior in pointv of simplicity, inexpensiveness of construction, positiveness of operation, and, facility and convenience injuse and general efciency.

In this specification andthe annexed drawings the invention-is illustratedtin the form considered to be lthe best, but4 itis to be understood that theinvention-is notflimited to such form because it maybe embodied in otherforms; andiit is also to be understood that in and bythe claims following the description, itis desiredvto cover the invention in whatsoever form itfmay be embodied.V

The inventionA is clearly illustrated in the f 'i accompanying drawings, wherein.: .A

Figure 'l is a vertica-l,.sectional viewof the artiiciallinib.- Y

Figure 2 is a sectional. view of'- the limb, the section beingtak'enon the line Q-Qof Figure land y Figure 3 is a-sectional planview'oftheartificial limb the section being taken on the line B-Sof Figurel. c

Referring to the drawings wherein Vsimilar reference characters designate similar parts throughout, the various figures vdescribed above adequately illustrate my invention, and the following detailed description is commensurat'e with the'ab'ove mentioned drawings' in enalilii'igaan'artisanV to construct and assemble thesame.

ln carrying out my invention I make use of a hollow stump 6, the lower end' of'which is closed.. O11 the said end of the stump 6 is ,p 'formedacircumferential groove@ and a lsubstantially elliptical indentation. 8; y Upon the said end: of theystump 6 is disposed an artificial foot 9, preferably made of rubber or other pliant material and being hollow so as to form .an inflatable tube. A. neck l1 is formed on' the ankle portion ofthe foot 9, the said neck heilig hollow and being open at the free end tliere'o'f'- in order to attach the foot 9 to the stump 6, 4 the neck l1 is stretched and pulled over the end of the stump 6, the materialof the foot 9 being pliant it assumes a shape conforming to the'contour of thevend of the stump 6 at theneck 1l thereof. A band l2 surrounds the outery periphery of the neck 11, opposite the groove 7, whereby the neck 11 is held in said groove 7. On the inner periphery of the neck l1 is formed a collar 13, the opening of which isforme'd with a bead' le, which beadltfits into the indentation Bof the'stump 6. When i the `neck 11 is positioned in placeon` the kend of the Astump 6, then theupper half of the bead lli is disposedwithin thevindention Sas shown in` Figures land 2.'

The firm and final securing of the foot 9 to the stump 6 is accomplished by means of a bracketl 'positioned within 'the hollow of the foot 9, The bracket 16 comprises a clamping disk 17, and two legs 18 depending.from/the opposite sides ofthe-disk 17.v The upper face of the disk 17 is so shaped as to receivethe lower halfof the bead 14 and also to form a fiange 19 extending toward the corners of the lower extremity of the .stump 6, and overthe 1 lower face of the collar 13, thus clamping the said collar 13v between theA upper face ofthe disk 17 and the end of the stump 6.

A threaded extension 2l on the upper face ofthe clamping disk 17 protrudes through an aperture 22 in the end of the stump Gand eX- tends within the hollowof the stump.. The extension 2l has an air passage 23 communieating with the interior of the foot 9.y After the extension is inserted into the aperture 22,

then a lock nut 24 is screwed thereon, the stump usually being open on the upper end thereof allows the threading of the nut from said open end by an extension wrench or the like. It is a aparent that when the nut 24 is tightened the coll ar 13 and the bead 14 thereon are firmly clamped by the disk 17 to the end of the stump 6. V

After the nut 24 is tightened an elbow 26 is attached to the upper end of the extension 21 and turned so that the horizontal branch thereof is in alignment with a hole 27 in the side of the stump 6; the said `branch of the elbow 26 is interiorly threaded to receive a valve stem 28 in which latter is disposed a usual tire valve 31 protruding slightly beyond the outer periphery of the stump 6.

The foot 9 isinflated thru said valve 31 in the usual manner by compressed air, and is firmly held in position by the clamping action of the bracket 16.

The artificial foot is adapted to simulate the upward and downward movement of a natural foot by an arrangement of a lever 32 within the hollow of the foot 9. @ne end of the lever 32 is pivotally secured to the legs 18 of the bracket 16 by means of a pivot pin 33; the pivoted end ofthe lever 32 is bifurcated and the legs of the fork end extend outside of the legs 18, thus the upward swing of the lever 32 is limited to a point where it abuts the legs 18. On the free end of the lever 32 are studs 34 extending thru holes 36 in the toe portion of the foot 9. Below the studs 34 the lever 32 is indented to form semispherical concavities thereat denoted by the numeral 37. Semispherical nuts 38 are threaded upon the studs 34 outside the foot 9, .so as to impress thematerial of the foot into said concavity, and firmly hold the same therein.

The semispherical nuts 38 are thus substantially countersunk below t1 e outline of the foot 9. After the foot 9 is z einbled on the end of the stump 6 in the aioredescribed manner. it is airtight. he inflation is ef'- fected thru the inner valve so that the foot is rendered resilient to a des-.r ed degree. After the foot 9 is inflated it assumes the form of a natural foot. ln order to facilitate the handling of the nuts 38, the same are provided with holes 39 in the flat outer surface thereof, which holes may be readily engaged by the prongs o f a suitable 'french not shown.l Y Y It is apparent Vthat escapement of air from the foot 9 is effectively obviated. walking on the foot 9 the weight is exerted substantially throughout the sole of the foot 9, the resultantof the force thus-exerted being located substantially on the line of the bracket 16. The Vresiliency of the flated foot 9 prevents any sudden shock or jerk upon the foot 9' and entirely elimi nates the attendant-noises. The pressure be ing evenly divided throughout the foot i) -Y il hile the lever 32 remains stationary. However in the usual course of walking movement the foot is raised forwardly and this results in transfer of weight to the toc portion of the foot 9, the force thus exerted is directed upwardly and causes the turning of the lever 32 around its pivoted end. substantially in the manner of the usual ankle movement. This turning movement is limited by the abutment of the lever 32 against the legs 18 of the bracket 1G, transferring a transverse force thereupon and supporting the weight of the body on the toe portion of the foot 9. Then' the foot is completely lifted and advanced in the usual manner, at the next step the weightis put again on the heel portion of the foot 9. During the whole movement of the foot the shock created by the placing of the weight thereon is absorbed by the resiliency of its inflated tube structure. any movement of the foot at the neck 11 thereof relatively to the stump fl and any leakage thereat is effectively obviated by the aforedescribed positive clamping means.

.t will be recognized that a particularly facile device is provided to'achieve the noiseless, smooth use of an artificial limb, and one theresiliency of which is determined by the air pressure therein, said air pressure being` readily regulated thru the usual tire valv.. By the inflatable artificial foot many of the disadvantages of the metal or wooden articial limbs are entirely eliminated; Lhe device allows the formation of an artificial foot which both in shape and resiliency approximates the comfort-s of a natural foot and reduces the'shock to the stump to a minimum.

Having thus described my invention what l now claim as novel and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: I

1. An artificial footrcomprising an inflatable foot member, adapted to be secured over the end of a stump, clamping means within the foot member for securing said member to the stump, said clamping` means ,having an air passage therethru. and shut ofi' means in operative relation to the said passage to allow the inflation and the deflation of said member at will.

2. An artificial foot comprising an inflatable foot member on the end of stump. clamping means disposed within the foot member capable of engagement with the stump so as to secure the foot member thereto and to seal said foot member at the secured end thereof, an element pivotallv connected tosaid clamping means and attached to the toe portion of the foot member for allowing a limited turning movement of the foot member around said clamping means, and means operatively connected to the interior of the foot member for allowing the inflation and the deflation thereof.

3. An artificial foot comprising an inflatable foot member, arneck portion thereon being secured to a stump, clamping means disposed within the foot member and extending thru said neck portion for attaching the, foot member to the stump, and means operatively connected to the interior of said foot member through said neck to allow the inflation and deflation of said foot member and to seal the same.

4:.y An artificial foot comprising an inflatable foot member, a neck portion thereon being secured to a stump, clamping means disposed within the foot member and extending thru said portion for attaching the foot member to the stump, an element pivotally connected to said clamping means and attached to the toe portion of said member for allowing a limited turning movement of the foot member around said clamping means, and means operatively connected with the interior of said foot member for sealing` the same and for allowing the inflation and the deflation of said member.

5. An artificial foot comprising an iniiatable foot member, a neck portion thereof being secured upon a stump, a collar formed 0n said neck portion, clamping means for attaching` said collar to the end of the stump, and means operatively connected to the interior of said foot member to allow the inflation and the deflation of said foot member therethru and to seal the same thereat.

6. An artificial foot comprising an inflatable foot member, a neck portion thereon being secured upon a stump, a collar formed on said neck portion, clamping means for attaching said collar to the end of the stump, an element pivotally connected to said clamping means and attached to the toe portion of the foot member for allowing a limited turning movement yof the foot member around said clamping means, and means operatively y connected to the interior of said foot member to allow the inflation and the deflation of said member therethru and to seal the same thereat.

7. An artificial foot comprising' an' inflatable foot member, a neck portion thereon being secured to a stump, a collar formed on the inner periphery of said neck, clamping means disposed within the foot member for clamping said collar upon thesald stump,

said clamping means having a passage `theretached; to `the toe portion of saidi foot member so as toL allow a limitedY swinging movement of said footv member'arounol; said.; clamping means, and-means operatively connect-ed' to said passage to seall the sameand. toi @110W the. inflationand the. deflation of said foot member therethru.

9. Any artificial foot comprising an infijat;y

able .foot member, a; neck portion thereof be ing secured on a stump, a collar formed on the inner periphery of saldi neck, clamping meansfdispose'd, within said; foot member.y for c'lampii'ig Isai-.dA collarto the stump,v said clamping means extending into said stump i and havin g. a; passage` therethru in communi-` cationA with. thel interior off saidV foot, member, andi means connected tot said; passage toV sealI the same and to allow theiniiation and therdeflation of said foot member tlierethral. 10., An artificial. footA comprising an inflat.- able footf member, a.. neck.; portion5 thereofbeing. secured on astump, a collar formedon lthe inner periphery of said neck, clamping K y means disposed within said foot memberflor and to allow the inflation and the deflation of said foot member therethru. y Y

11. An artificial foot comprising an inflatable foot member, a neck portion thereof being securedl to a stump, a collarformed on the inner periphery of said neck portion, a clamping bracket disposed within said foot member and extending thru said neck into said stump so as to clamp said collar upon the end of the stump, said bracket having a passage therethru communicating with the interior of said foot member, and a kvalve operatively connected to said passage to seal the same and toy allow the inflation and the deflation of the foot member.

l2. An artificial foot comprising an inflatable foot member, a neck portion thereof be- Y ing secured to a stump, a collar formed on the innerperiphery of said neck portion, a clamping bracket disposed within said foot member and extending thru said neck into said stump so as to clamp said collar upon the end of the stump, said bracket having a passage therethru communicating with the interior of said foot member, a lever dis-r posed in the foot member having an end thereof pivotally secured to said bracket and the other' end thereof attached to the toe portion of said foot member, said lever being:

capable of limited pivotal lmovement on said bracket, and a valve operatively connected to said passage to seal the same and to allow the inflation and the deflation of `said foot member therethru.

13. In combination ahollow stump having a side opening thereon, an inflatable artifieial foot, a neck of said foot being secured over the end ofrsaid stump, a collar formed on the inner periphery of said neck, a bracket disposed within the foot and engaging the inner face of said collar, an extension on said bracket extending thru said collar into the' stump, means on said extension to engage the I inner end of said stump thereby to secure said clamp to the stump and to clamp said collar thereto, said extension'and said bracket having a passage therethru in communication with the interior of said foot, a valve stem attached to said extension having an end thereof in Aregistry with said opening in the stump, and a'valve Vinsertable thru said Y opening into the stem i'or iniiatably sealing said passage.

14. The combination as claimed in claim 13 and a lever disposed in the foot member having an end thereof pivotally secured to said bracket and the other end thereof attached to the toe portion of said foot member, said lever being capable of limited swinging movement on said bracket.

In testimony whereof I have aiiiXed my signature.

JOHN A. COLLINS. 

